Osun reintroduces weekly sanitation exercise across markets, business premises

Osun State Government has reintroduced a compulsory weekly environmental sanitation exercise across markets, shops, offices and other business premises to tackle indiscriminate waste disposal and prevent disease outbreaks.

The exercise, which will take place every Thursday between 8:00 am and 10:00 am, was approved by Governor Ademola Adeleke and is scheduled to commence immediately across the state.

The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Head of Service and Chairman of the newly constituted Osun State Environmental Sanitation Task Force, Samuel Ayanleye Aina, on Wednesday.

According to the statement, “the reintroduction of the exercise is aimed at addressing the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places and enforcing compliance with existing environmental regulations.

“The state government has directed, with immediate effect, that Thursday of every week, between 8:00 am and 10:00 am, be scheduled as the Environmental Sanitation Day, whereby markets, shops, malls, offices and business premises will be cleaned up.”

The government directed market operators, shop owners, artisans, office workers and other business owners to be physically present during the designated period to ensure the thorough cleaning of their premises and compliance with the directive.

It explained that the newly constituted task force would work to curb improper waste disposal and other environmental infractions, with the broader objective of preventing disease outbreaks and maintaining cleanliness across Osun State.

The statement disclosed that law enforcement agents would be deployed to monitor the exercise and ensure compliance with the government’s directive.

However, the government clarified that the presence of security personnel was intended to support the sanitation exercise rather than arrest participants.

“The presence of law enforcement agents during the sanitation exercise is to complement the efforts of the market operators, shop owners, etc., for cleaning of the environment, and not to arrest anyone,” it stated

The task force chairman urged residents and business operators across the state to cooperate with the government and participate fully in the two-hour exercise every Thursday, stressing the need for collective efforts to maintain a clean and healthy environment.